THE ANCHORET: It All Began With Loneliness (PROGRESSIVE METAL,Progressive Rock): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The Anchoret is the project of Eduard Levtisky, who has teamed up with Andy Tillison (The Tangent) and Sylvain Auclair (Heaven's Cry and Karcius) for his debut album, "It All Started with Loneliness".

The opening notes of 'An Office for...' take us into a mix of jazz impulses and metal riffs, an exercise that could be compared to a jam between John Coltrane and Metallica. Then comes 'A Dead Man', both percussive and hypnotic, which stands out for its intensity. The transitions between heavy metal and jazz moments are so fluid that we almost forget the genres, simply letting ourselves be carried along by the music and Andy Tillison's keyboards.

The band's recipe clearly evokes Opeth, notably on 'Until the Sun Illuminates', and Pink Floyd for the calm, soaring parts. The album's centerpiece is undoubtedly 'Unafraid', whose melodic structures, combined with instrumental power, demonstrate The Anchoret's talent in embodying the perfect balance between technicality and emotion. The closing track, 'Stay', serves as a poignant reminder of the whole journey, inviting the listener to contemplation.

Finally, it's impossible to overlook Sylvain Auclair's performance, which is both robust and moving, managing to evoke powerful images with apparent ease. There's a sincerity in his tone that makes every song, even the most technical, accessible.

For a debut album, The Anchoret have set the bar high. Admittedly, there are a few weaknesses, notably some length, but these are more than compensated for by the passion and authenticity oozing from each track. "It All Started with Loneliness" is a work that questions, challenges and, above all, reminds us of the power of music to provoke deep emotions. - Official website

THE ANCHORET

IT ALL BEGAN WITH LONELINESS

AUTRE LABEL

PROGRESSIVE METAL